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The Forum > Article Comments > We need to turn-back the nuclear Doomsday clock. > Comments

We need to turn-back the nuclear Doomsday clock. : Comments

By John Langmore, published 11/6/2008

Not only is a nuclear weapons abolition treaty essential there are many practical reasons for considering that it is possible.

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Rudd’s presumptuous decision (is any other country going along with it?) to “…establish a Nuclear Non-Proliferation and Disarmament Commission…” is hardly “timely”. We have been under the threat of nuclear destruction for decades.

The whole thing is just another example of Rudd’s naivety. Rogue states are not going to give up their nuclear endeavours: the will rightly say, why can’t we have nuclear weapons while the ‘civilised’ world has them. The ‘civilised’ world will say that they cannot give up nuclear weapons as long as rogue states have them.
Posted by Mr. Right, Wednesday, 11 June 2008 9:46:22 AM
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Rudd's hubris more than naivety. Considering there is already an international commission for that very thing.

The naivety belongs to the author, who somehow things that "For example: biological and chemical weapons abolition treaties have been negotiated successfully;" shows that nuclear weapon abolition is possible....

Bio and chem reductions (note....not abolition) are only really possible by having bigger weapons (i.e. Nuclear) to make it happen. there is no such stick in the nuclear debate.
Posted by Grey, Wednesday, 11 June 2008 10:13:12 AM
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“Another example of Rudd’s naivety” (Mr. Right). Rudd is far from naïve in the political arena. He has made three “smart” political moves so far.
They commenced with the 2020 talk-fest where matters, both great and trivial, were paraded with great publicity. Where discussion was conducted at minimum depth, carefully constrained according to preferred pre-conceptions; irrelevant other than as a soothing political massage of public perceptions.

The second was gratuitous public denigration of public service bureaucrats - the team he depended upon for information and advice. It was another purely politically-staged action. One which would not have in any way enhanced the workings of the machinery of Government; only carried out to enhance his own political status.

The third is Rudd’s self-elevation to world leadership on nuclear non-proliferation. A masterpiece of domestic political shuffling. Granting himself that title will now ease us into the flow of increased supply of Australian uranium for the proliferating aspirants to the nuclear club. Aspirants who are sure to guarantee purity of heart and mind – no weapons, no leakage of material to terrorists. Of course the uranium will be for planet-saving nuclear power stations, which will be built perfectly to safety specifications. Australian uranium mining, waste storage, re-processing maybe – early days yet; time to get advice later on these matters from enthusiastic colleague Ferguson.
John Langmore, I wish your leader’s motives were as pure as your own.
Posted by colinsett, Wednesday, 11 June 2008 11:10:23 AM
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With such an accepting somewhat dumb global public, cannot imagine anything much done about Rudd's dream of a non-nuclear militaristic future.

How so with even Obama apparently out to nuke Iran if it goes against US missile diplomacy.

So despite Rudd's rosy hopes, the facts of a useless UN allowing little Israel to have even more thrustful nukes at the ready, and with US Generals determined to stay in Iraq, could reckon we'll have a real neo-colonial future not only for the Middle East, but maybe our globe?
Posted by bushbred, Wednesday, 11 June 2008 11:45:16 AM
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Rudd has to look after the Labor Left's anti nuclear itch.

But simultaneously he has agreed to the continued sales of uranium to nuclear armed nations. This second tendency fulfils Rudd's obligations to the mining business and unions represented by the Labor centre and right.

Rudd's uranium sales permits such countries as China and Russia to use Australian uranium for reactors - many of which have old dangerous technology and are in earthquake prone areas.

Uranium cheaply imported from Australia free's up China and Russia's locally mined uranium for weapons uses.

As uranium and its product plutonium (the basic nuclear explosive) are scarce in Russia this has been one incentive for Russia to strip down many nuclear weapons and convert the weapon's plutonium stockpiles to peaceful uses. However cheap Australian uranium will take the pressure off this process by making the plutonium product cheaper and more plentiful.

So basically Rudd can trumpet regional non-proliferation while helping to maintain China and Russia's nuclear arsenals.

Pete
Posted by plantagenet, Wednesday, 11 June 2008 12:28:42 PM
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Someone told me
It's all happening at the zoo.
I do believe it.
I do believe it's true.

Hummm hummm whoooa oh hummm

It's a lifetime tumble journey
From the eastside to the park.
Just a fine and fancy ramble
To the zoo.

But ya can take a cross town bus,
If it's raining or it's cold.
And he animals will love it,
If ya do, if ya do now.

Something tells me,
It's all happening at the zoo.
I do believe it.
I do believe it's true.

Hummm hummm whoooa oh hummm

The monkeys stand for honesty
Giraffes are insincere.
And the elephants are kindly
But they're dumb.

Orangatangs are skeptical
Of changes in their cages.
And the zookeeper
Is very fond of rum.

Zebras are reactionaries.
Antelopes are missionaries,
Visions locked in secrecy.
And hampsters turn off frequently.

What the ...
Cats get to others, see!
At the zoo.
At the zoo.
At the zoo.
At the zoo.

(The Zoo. Paul Simon. 1967 )

Should be Rudds theme song.

I think those bloody Japs have a wonderful sense of humour and it's bizzare at times.

Among the first people to officially greet Rudd in Nagano were two ... Nagano Geishas.

I wonder what Theresa thought?

Shouldn't have increased the tax on my booze ... bastard
Posted by keith, Wednesday, 11 June 2008 1:42:35 PM
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Well OLO. Lets see some consistency in your editing. Here in this article is a perfectly rational presentation on a subject of legitimacy. The threat posed to world peace from nuclear weapons. On the other hand we have the post from “Keith”. A senseless and insulting diatribe, directed at the Prime Minister and his wife, bearing no relationship to the subject matter at all! I object to his unrelated nonsense as I feel sure will other readers of your otherwise fine website. I think your action to remove his post would be considered acceptable in this instance.
Posted by diver dan, Wednesday, 11 June 2008 9:43:35 PM
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Rudd's nuclear posturing was for the Australian electorate, or possibly to pander to the US's agenda against Iran. Virtually no one else even knows he is doing it, and even less care. Certainly not the ones with the nukes, and especially not those trying to obtain them.

The rest of the article appears to be recycled from other older rantings from the 60s 70s 80s etc, and has all the freshness of week old milk.
Posted by Democritus, Wednesday, 11 June 2008 10:36:29 PM
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hahahahaha Diver Dan supports censorship.

Talk about having a tunnel vision I reckon diver is goggled.
Posted by keith, Wednesday, 11 June 2008 11:10:04 PM
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Keith…
Excerpt
The Storm
George J Carroll 2006

Mark well this spell that I will tell
Of rainbows lost from view.
Where billowed clouds spoke out loud
And only thunder knew.

Where lightning flashed and I was dashed
Upon my thoughts anew.
The night was bleek and I did seek
A haven that I knew.

I know not why I cast a sigh
When shivers in me sent.
The fear of dread upon my bed,
No words could I have lent.

These were the thoughts that I had fought
Huddled in my room.
I was not brave nor could I save
Myself from sudden doom.

As fears did swell this ghost from hell
Left me a freightened child.
The storm has passed I'm free at last
From fears that once ran wild.

Since your post was granted special dispensation by the editor (a privilege obviously not granted to lesser mortals than yourself). I have enclosed the above poem by George Carroll which with some imagination could be related to the issue of Nuclear disarmament. Appropriately, the book that the poem was extracted from is titled. “No one is perfect” A sentiment Keith that I hope one day you may take on board. And Keith,if in your tight little world of self aggrandisement you notice in the text spelling mistakes, then note they are a deliberate inclusion by the author.
Posted by diver dan, Thursday, 12 June 2008 9:56:21 AM
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Diver Dan

'Since your post was granted special dispensation by the editor (a privilege obviously not granted to lesser mortals than yourself).'

Really this is news to me. OLO editors have never discussed this with me at all. I very much doubt they would have done as you say. My experience is that they are much too straightforward and open to indulge in such smallminded pettiness.

In all I have read in OLO it is obvious censorship of any political comment or criticism of our elected leadership has been rare.

And boy oh boy wasn't there some really really offensive stuff posted about John Howard and Peter Costello.

But if you think it ok to censor well you are merely towing the 'Party line' on anything at all controversial about our 'angel' of a PM.

As for the poerty all I can says is:

Some of us are born to lead and some are born to follow.

You are always welcome to follow my lead Diver Dan. In fact who said 'copying is the ultimate compliment'?

Kindest Regards

ps In my experience if one has to explain the thrust of literature then the piece obviously lacks the ability to convey the message intended.
pps I think Paul Simon's simple brief lighthearted melodious lyrics have touched you in a very raw place.
ppps Carroll's doom-laden morose metreless piece wallows in fearmongering and points nowhere but to the authors own sad grief stricken mind.
Posted by keith, Thursday, 12 June 2008 3:26:39 PM
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History has proved time and again that treaties are not worth the paper they are written on.
Posted by sharkfin, Thursday, 12 June 2008 9:11:47 PM
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Keith
Thanks..........you've made my day!
Cheers
Posted by diver dan, Friday, 13 June 2008 8:55:27 AM
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